Many funeral homes and cemeteries offer preneed contracts which is a contract entered into before death for the future funeral cemetery merchandise or services.  Entering into a contract helps to secure many costs at the current rate, even if the funeral takes place many years later.

When you, or a loved one, enter into a preneed contract with a funeral provider your money is placed in a preneed trust account.  As a consumer in British Columbia you have the following rights:

• You have 15 days to cancel a preneed contract and receive a full refund.
• You must receive a copy of the preneed contract within 15 days of signing.
• and if not in receipt of that contract may cancel and receive a full refund.
• The funeral provider must place your money into an interim holding account within 5 days until the money is placed directly into a trust account (must be in trust account within 20-21 days).
• You must receive notification that money has been deposited into trust account.
• You may request an annual report of the trust fund account.

Please note that not all costs are guaranteed to stay at the same rate over time.  This includes taxes as well as the costs of a death certificate or a cremation.  Make sure that you ask your funeral provider what costs may fluctuate.  To find out more information about preneed arrangements, read our tips about preneed funeral arrangements and your cancellation rights for preneed contracts .

For more information about cemetery or funeral services as well as your rights and responsibilities,  please contact Consumer Protection BC toll free at 1-888-564-9963, via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or look through our funeral services web portal at www.funeralrightsbc.ca.

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